Final answer:
Opioid analgesics are known to interfere with bowel or bladder function due to their effect on slowing down the gastrointestinal tract and affecting urinary retention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The class of pain management drugs that may interfere with bowel or bladder function is opioid analgesics. Opioids, also known as narcotics, are a powerful class of pain relievers that include medications such as morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. These drugs offer effective pain relief but can sometimes have serious side effects including disruption of bowel and bladder function. This is due to opioids' tendency to slow down the gastrointestinal tract, leading to issues such as constipation, and affecting urinary retention. The use of opioids therefore requires careful medical supervision to mitigate risks, which also include addiction, abuse, and overdose.